The 2-2 draw at Newcastle had Gary Cahill warning that the Blues are using up their lifelines in the title race.

Mourinho was not so downbeat, pointing to Manchester City’s 4-1 defeat at Tottenham and an away game at a jinxed ground – he has never won at St James’ Park in six attempts, losing three – out of the way.

But like the Stamford Bridge manager said, he could have hooked any of six players at half-time and when three were substituted, their replacements turned the game.

Who knows which Chelsea will turn up to face Porto on Tuesday night in the Champions League?

The one outfought and bullied by tenacious Newcastle for an hour?

Or the team who produced mesmeric movement, silky passing and ruthless finishes as the Toon tired in the last 20 minutes?

Newcastle were two up after Ayoze Perez was allowed to control a deep cross, misjudged by Kurt Zouma, and volley in off a post, and Georginio Wijnaldum stooped to head in a corner won and taken by the Spanish striker.